Former Foreign Minister Mike Pompeo
Mike PompeoHouse adopts legislation to increase cyber security at the State Department. The Hill’s 12:30 Report – Presented by Facebook – All American adults are now eligible for COVID vaccinations. Parade of 2024 GOP hopeful court House Conservatives puts its support behind Republican lawmakers aiming to block President Biden
Joe BidenBiden dominates Blinken, top officials over initial decision on refugee shell: report Suicide bomb attack hits Afghan security forces Jim Jordan, Val Demings gets a shout out about police during the trial of MOREits ability to lift sanctions against Iran.
Pompeo returns to Capitol Hill on Wednesday to work with members of the Republican Study Committee (RSC) to introduce legislation called the Max Pressure Act, aimed at codifying the Trump administration’s maximum pressure campaign of sanctions against Iran.
The top diplomat in the Trump administration is considered a potential 2024 presidential candidate and the sanctions campaign against Iran imposed during the Trump years is considered an important part of Pompeo’s legacy.
The new legislation, introduced by Representative Jim Banks (R-Indiana), comes as the Biden government participates in talks in Vienna with signatories to the Obama-era Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). President Trump
Donald Trump St. Louis prosecutor who pointed out protesters to Black Lives Matter protesters considering Senate administration Chauvin guilty if the nation exhales in the US says Iran negotiations are MORE ‘positive’. withdrew in 2018.
Pompeo will appear with Banks at a press conference outside the Capitol on Wednesday morning.
Banks chairs the RSC, the largest Republican caucus in the House with 154 conservative GOP members. Pompeo was part of the RSC when he served as a Republican congressman from Kansas between 2011 and 2017.
President Biden has said he intends to rejoin the JCPOA, and talks with signatories and Iran are intended to pave the way for both parties to return to compliance with the agreement, for the US to lift specific sanctions and Iran to reverse its course. its violations of the terms of the agreement.
The majority of Democratic lawmakers support the president’s push to re-enter the agreement, but Republicans are strongly in their opposition to lifting any sanctions against Iran.
Pompeo, in his role as secretary of state, oversaw the imposition of about 1,500 sanctions against Iran. These include the reinstatement of sanctions lifted as part of the JCPOA, in addition to more punitive measures directed at Iran’s industries, which help fund support for terrorism, and sanctions for human rights violations.
Pompeo is seen as the basis for a possible presidential election in 2024, making major appearances in New Hampshire and Iowa, while his House campaign committee allegedly provided $ 155,000 to a newly formed Political Action Committee, ‘Champion American Values’. .
The maximum pressure campaign against Iran is considered one of Pompeo’s most important policies, coupled with unprecedented support for Israel, which the government has voiced against the US return to the JCPOA.
Pompeo spoke out against Biden’s attempt to reintroduce the nuclear deal last week during an event in New York City marking Israel’s Independence Day.
“America, which is the most noble power for good and for human rights in the world, cannot allow the situation to return to a situation where the Jewish homeland is real, and Iran’s ability to acquire a nuclear weapon is real. , “he said. said in comments.
The Max Pressure Act, the legislation enacted on Wednesday, says sanctions against Iran can only be lifted if Tehran meets 12 demands set out by Pompeo in May 2018, following the US withdrawal from the JCPOA.
This includes allowing full international access to the observation and inspection of Tehran’s nuclear activity, which Iran believes is for peaceful purposes, and to renounce any activity that could be used to develop material for a nuclear weapon.
Other demands include that Iran end the proliferation of ballistic missiles, the demands for the release of all US and international prisoners “held on false charges”, and that Iran extend its support to groups operating as terrorists and proxy fighters in Iraq and Syria declared, terminated. liability for human rights violations; among other requirements.
The bill limits the president’s ability to issue waiver and licensing authorities that allow for the diversion of certain sanctions, mostly for humanitarian purposes. The legislation would place downfall clauses on certain exemptions and provide for extensive review by Congress before lifting sanctions against Iran.
It also calls for any new agreement with Iran to be submitted to the Senate for ratification.
Supporters of the maximum sanctions campaign against Iran say the policy contributes to financially hurting Tehran and bankrupting its malicious activity, and if left alone long enough, it will take concessions from the Islamic Republic.
But critics say the sanctions did little to stem Iran’s bad behavior and encouraged it to break free from the constraints of the nuclear deal through inspections by international nuclear watchdogs and increasing uranium enrichment, key elements of fuel for a nuclear weapon. to threaten.
The Max Pressure Act is not the first step by Republicans aimed at limiting Biden’s ability to enter into an agreement with Iran.
Senate Ranker for Foreign Relations Committee Jim Risch
Jim Elroy RischGOP legislators block Biden aid to Palestinians Lack of cyber funds in Biden infrastructure plan raises eyebrows The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden moves on filibuster MORE (R-Idaho) and Senator Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) Introduced legislation this month to require congressional proposals to end or renounce sanctions against Iran.
In February, Sen. Tom Cotton
Tom Bryant Cotton The Hill’s 12:30 Report – Presented by Facebook – All U.S. Adults Now Eligible for COVID Vaccines Parade of 2024 GOP Hopeful Court House Conservatives Hillicon Valley: Biden Government Sanctions Russia for SolarWinds Hack, Electoral Interference MORE (R-Ark.) And Rep. Mike Gallagher
Michael (Mike) John GallagherHouse adopts legislation to increase cyber security at State Department Republicans see record fundraising in months after lawmakers from both parties in the Capitol violated support for Biden cybersecurity more (R-Wis.) Introduced a two-chamber resolution opposed to the lifting of sanctions against Iran ‘without addressing the full extent of Iran’s malicious activities’, including its nuclear program, ballistic missile program, arms proliferation, aid for terrorism, hostage-taking and human rights. violations.